Page 53 of Innocent Bratva Hostage

Absolutely nothing.

Rows of white chairs lined the aisle, each adorned with soft, cascading blooms, their fragrance sweet in the gentle breeze. Birds chirped in the distance, their melodies mingling with the soft strains of a violin, playing a slow, haunting tune.

Everything was perfect, but none of them outshined my wife-to-be.

A possessive surge of desire and pride roared through me as I stretched out my hand.

Her emerald eyes locked onto mine, her smile fading a little. She peered at my hand for a moment as if reconsidering, as if realizing there was no going back the moment we said our vows on the altar of roses.

I could hear the whispers among our guests, who were mostly just members of the Bratva and their wives. I knew what they were all thinking. Some of them thought I was making a mistake; a few others guessed I was forcing Giselle into this, but their whispers didn’t matter.

All that noise faded behind the scenes as I waited for her to take my hand.

And she did.

Her hand felt small and soft on mine as she took it, and I led her to the altar.

The officiating priest smiled at us and began a sermon about how finding a good wife was equivalent to finding a treasure.

I didn’t pay any attention to him or his sermons. All I could focus on was the beautiful woman standing beside me—the woman with whom I was going to share the rest of my life.

When it was time to exchange our vows, Giselle turned to me and exhaled a shaky breath. She was nervous, and it was obvious enough for a blind man to see.

“Do you want to repeat after me, or do you have your vows prepared?” the priest asked, his gaze bouncing between us.

“I’ll say my vows,” Giselle answered. She inhaled one more time, and, looking into my eyes, she began, “I vow to stay by your side, to be your strength and confidant.” She paused, and her throat moved as she swallowed. “To honor you, and to never betray you no matter what happens.”

My jaw tightened as she said her vows. She’d carefully chosen her words to affirm her loyalty to me while carefully avoiding anything that hinted at love or affection for me.

Still, a part of me was relieved that she wasn’t lying and putting up a front just to win my trust because if a day ever came when she’d tell me she loved me, I would know that she truly did.

It was time for me to say my vows, and I didn’t hesitate. I didn’t mince my words or try to play games. I took her hand in mine, caressing the back of her hand with my thumb.

“I, Andrei Yezhov, vow to dedicate the rest of my life to you, Giselle Rae,” I started, peering into her emerald eyes, even as they shifted nervously. “I promise to protect you, to love you, and be your source of strength. I’ll stick by your side through thick and thin, and I’ll never let you go, no matter what happens.”

Her lashes fluttered, and scarlet tainted her cheeks. She didn’t pull away from me despite the hitching of her breath.

The priest gestured for the rings, and Dimitri walked over, opening the box.

Taking hers first, I slid the diamond-encrusted band onto the finger on which she already had her engagement ring.

For some, a ring was a symbol of love and partnership, but it was different for us.

It was a symbol of possession, a reminder that she now belonged to me—that she was now fully mine.

She took mine, and her hand trembled as she slid it onto my finger. Her eyes shone with tears, but they were not because she was sad or anything; they were from longing for someone.

I knew she was thinking of her father, wishing he was here to witness his little girl getting married.

I reached out, wiping her tears away and smiling. If her father could see us, I hoped he was cheering us on because I meant every word I said, and I was willing to die if that was what it took to keep her happy.

“By the power vested in me,” the priest announced, “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

A thunder of applause exploded from our wedding guests, and for the first time, a small smile appeared on Giselle’s face.

I hoped her smile would be wider than that someday, and I hoped she would truly be happy. I would do anything to make sure of that.

The priest had a grin on his face as he turned to me and said, “You may kiss your bride.”

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